Tuesday, July 5 2005 17:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Describing the terror strike on the makeshift temple in Ayodhya as an "attack on Hindu faith", BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) today (July 5, 2005) demanded the resignations of the Union and Uttar Pradesh Home Ministers for the "laxity" which allowed militants to storm the Ram Janmabhoomi site.

The party announced a nationwide protest tomorrow (July 6, 2005) against the attack and called for a bandh in Uttar Pradesh.

Senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying his officials were making statements on his behalf although he should done so himself.

"The incident was not just an attack on a site, but on the Hindu faith itself," the former Union Minister told reporters after a high-level emergency meeting of the party held here shortly after six gunmen stormed the Ram Janmabhoomi site.

Launching a scathing attack on the Centre, he said the attack could take place only because of the "laxity" in security and because, "The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government has in the last one year created a mindset that anything related to the Hindu faith can be ignored.

"The Government has to explain why this intelligence failure took place, why the Director General of Uttar Pradesh police reduced security at the site over the last few days. The Government should immediately give full details," he said.

Singh said protests would be held across the country tomorrow against the incident, except in flood-ravaged Gujarat. A bandh has also been called in Uttar Pradesh.

"We appeal to all to make the protests and bandh successful but communal harmony should be maintained," he said.